A collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) will be held on Nov. 5-6, 2016. This special collection is held once every three years to support the AMS which is the only arm of the church responsible for supplying priests to serve as chaplains in the U.S. military around the world.

Bishop Amos

Now is a time of great transition for our Catholic brothers and sisters serving in the United States military. While many are home with their families in the wake of troop withdrawals, others remain on the front lines to face a scattered but determined enemy. Those deployed endure ongoing adversity, sacrifice and danger. Those back home confront major life adjustments — always aware they could be called back to action at any time, as are others who have yet to experience combat. Facing so many kinds of hardship, these Catholics in uniform rely on the priests who serve as military chaplains for spiritual support, guidance in faith and access to the sacraments.

This collection offers each of us a substantial way to “serve those who serve.” Funds raised will help the AMS and its endorsed priests bring the church’s full range of pastoral services to the men and women in uniform as well as their families and patients in the nation’s VA Medical Centers. They will support religious education in remote locations, priestly formation of new chaplains at a time of critical shortage and financial planning to meet the challenges of shepherding a global archdiocese that is present wherever U.S. military personnel are stationed.

Thank you for your generosity and prayerful support for the Archdiocese for the Military Services.